Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh: This Covid-19 outbreak has many potential complications

This is the recommendation of Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Member of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, Director of Nghe An Department of Health on epidemic prevention and control when having a quick exchange with Nghe An Newspaper reporters on the sidelines of the 13th National Party Congress.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of Nghe An Department of Health, discussed with Nghe An Newspaper reporters on the sidelines of the 13th National Party Congress some contents on the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Nhat Le

PV:Dear Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh, although you are attending the 13th National Party Congress in Hanoi, in the face of new developments of the Covid-19 epidemic in provinces such as Hai Duong, Quang Ninh... as the head of the provincial health sector, what instructions have you given to the sector?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has seen many community-acquired diseases, but this outbreak is one of the outbreaks with the highest number of community-acquired cases. We assess that this outbreak has the highest potential risk of community transmission.

Faced with that situation, although attending the 13th National Congress of the Party in Hanoi, we always closely monitor the developments of the epidemic as well as the Government's instructions to do a good job of advising and directing the prevention and control of the epidemic in the province.

The sector has advised on the issuance of documents on epidemic prevention and control in the current period for the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, especially the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control.

This afternoon (January 29), the Provincial Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control held an online meeting with the steering committees of districts, cities and towns to direct specific plans and strategies in the next phase.

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of Nghe An Department of Health recommended: Every citizen must have a common responsibility in the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic; especially, during this period, we must follow the 5K recommendations well (Face mask-Disinfection-Distance-Not focused-Health declaration)of the Ministry of Health. Photo: Thanh Duy

As for the health sector, we have directed units on 5 basic contents: Local health centers must do a good job of advising local steering committees; at the same time, they must do a good job of disinfection and detoxification; investigate, trace, and promptly test suspected cases or cases in close contact with Covid-19 cases.

For hospitals, we have directed to upgrade warnings, do a good job of screening patients and their relatives coming to hospitals; in particular, we must ensure the safety of patients in hospitals.

As for the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC Nghe An), we have directed the unit to do a good job of preparing consumables and chemicals in case of mass testing or in case of mass environmental treatment.

We have also directed units to activate rapid response teams, which, if necessary, will operate 24/7 to prevent and combat the Covid-19 epidemic in the province.

PV:Nghe An has a large area, a large population, and is a hub for many types of transportation. How do you assess the risk of this community outbreak for the province?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:As I said, this community transmission is very high risk for many reasons: This is the time close to the Lunar New Year; in particular, in this community transmission, a new variant of the virus appeared in Hai Duong - this strain has the characteristic of spreading quickly. Nghe An is a locality with a large area, complex population, terrain, and long border.

Medical facilities strengthen control and prevention of Covid-19 epidemic. Photo: Thanh Cuong

For a long time, Nghe An has been very determined in the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic; it must be said that the province has had the synchronization and participation of all departments, branches and localities; especially the awareness of the people in preventing and fighting the epidemic is very good.

Faced with new developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, we try to promote the good work that has been done in the recent past in epidemic prevention and control; and fight against negligence and subjectivity.

PV:In the above context, what recommendations does the Associate Professor have for the people of the province in the face of the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic this time?

Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh:This epidemic has many potential complex risks, so we must be extremely vigilant but not panic.

Every citizen must have a common responsibility in the work of preventing and fighting the Covid-19 epidemic; especially during this period, we must follow the 5K recommendations well.Face mask-Disinfection-Distance-Not focused-Health declaration)of the Ministry of Health; these are very necessary actions to avoid infection in the community.

PV:Thank you Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Dinh Chinh!